Soil Association report claims organic is better for you - organic food

Eurofood, August 16, 2001

UK organic food certification body, the Soil Association (SA) has released a report which it claims scientifically proves organic food is healthier and safer to eat, than foods produced under conventional methods.

Nutritionist Shane Heaton led the study, comparing organic foods against non-organic foods in terms of food safety, nutritional content and health effects. The report, Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health, suggests that consumers can increase their daily mineral and vitamin intake by eating organically produced foods. At the same time, consumers would reduce their exposure to any potential harmful pesticides and additives used in conventional farming methods.

Heaton said, "My analysis suggests that farming methods can make a significant difference to levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients."

The report also stated that organic foods have significant health benefits. Speaking on the report, Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association said organic foods are "higher in phytonutrients - compounds which protect plants from pests and disease and are often beneficial in the treatment of cancer".

Holden also said, "This report contradicts Sir John Krebbs, Head of the Food Standards Agency, (FSA) who said last year that there was not enough information available to be able to say that organic food is nutritionally different from non-organic food."

REACTION

With increasing food safety scares across Europe, organically produced foods have been gaining immense popularity, with consumers evermore concerned about the food they eat. However, the UK's Food Standards Agency has reacted to this latest report. The FSA said, "We are not persuaded to change our position on organic food, which is that there is not enough information to say that organic food is significantly different in terms of food safety and nutrition from conventional food."

Both bodies did agree that further research was necessary. The SA recommended animal and human feeding trials.